Marcel libvre



Feb. 23, 1932. M, UEVRE 1,846,215

' RECUPERATION EQUIPMENT FOR TRAKWAYS Filed lay 27. 1930 15 72 Marcel Llcvr INVENTCR:

Patented Feb. 23, 1932 teuren STATES PATENT MARCEL LVRE, 0F TOULON, FRANCE,

ASSIGNOR TO COMPAGNIE GENERALE FRANCAISE DE T11-AMV! AYS, OF PARIS, FRANCE RECUPERATION EQUIPMENT FOR TRMVAYS lt has already been proposed to use a plurality of compound wound electric motors for electric tramways or electric vehicles, these motors being connected for series-operation during the starting periods and the low speeds and being connected for parallel operation during the higher speeds. rlhe adjustment of the excitation of the shuntinductors of these motors allows the speed to vary gradually as well for the series-running as for the parallel running.

It is also lnown that during the first part of the starting period, it is necessary to insert, in the circuit of the motor armatures, starting resistances in order to avoid a too strong' current which could be prejudicial for the armatures. In view of the security, the main circuit-breaker is usually cut out when the vehicle slacl-Iens or stops and the controller is brought to the zero position in order that the driver of the vehicle be obliged to insert the starting resistances in the armature-circuit before again starting the vehicle or before accelerating its speed. Therefore, the main circuit-breaker generally used in connection with series-motors must be closed in the first operating position of the controller, and remain in this condition during complete displacement of the controller` sha-ft in the direction corresponding to the acceleration of the vehicle, any displacement in the opposite direction of the said shaft being such as to cause opening of the circuit-breaker which cannot be closet again until after the return to the zero position of the controller shaft.

Such an arrangement does not allow the speed of the vehicle to be slaclrened by adjusting the excitation of the shunt-inductors7 since in such case the main current would be cut out when the field is to be increased.

The present invention has for its object an opening and closing device for the main circuit-breaker which is adapted to be mounted on the controller-shaft and which allows the excitation of the shunt-inductors to be adjusted as well for increasing as for reducing the magnetic field, while maintaining the main circuit-breaker closed whatever be the direction of rotation of the controller-shaft, while itopens the main circuit-breaker during the return-stroke of the controller shaft, when the starting resistances are about to be again inserted in the motor circuit.

In the appended dra-wings are shown an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 1 is an elevation view thereof.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same.

0n shaft l grooved pulley 2" on to which is fitted a friction collar 8 having a projecting stop 9 and a piece 10 adapted to come into or out of Contact with a contact-piece 11 whereby the main current may be established or interrupted. On shaft 1 is lreyed an eccentric cam 12, having two diameters joined by a slope 13. Under pressure of a spring 14 a lever 15 with two lingers 16 and 17 is brought to bear against this cam. The said lever is made to oscillate on a pin 18 fixed on a projection 19 of the controller, finger 17 of the lever bearing against stop 9 of collar 8.

In the rest position, the different parts are placed according to the position shown in the dash-and-dot-lines of Fig. 2. End 16 of lever 15 is then bearing against the part having a small diameter of cam 12. By rotation shaft 1 in the direction indicated by arrow f conl tact is established between piece 10 and contact-piece 11, stop 9 ta-lres the position shown by the continuous lines of Fig. 2. Then the controller shaft has been brought into the position corresponding to the short-circuiting of the starting resistances, end 16 of lever 15 follows the larger diameter of cam 12, while end 17 takes its place opposite stop 9 thus preventing any backward movement. The shaft of the controllers may therefore be moved in both directions for any positions followingthose corresponding to the shortcircuiting of the starting resistances without breaking the contact between pieces 10 and 11, and thereby without stopping the feed of motors.

Unlocking of the collar is effected when the controller shaft has come back and is about to insert again the starting resistances in the motor circuits.

Having now described my invention what l of the controller is keyed a i I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In aV controller for electric motors, in combination: a rotatable shaft, a collar ric- `tionally mounted on said shaft, a switch comprising a movable contact member carried by said collar and a stationary contact member, a stop piece on said collar, an abutment adapted to be brought into or out of the path of said stop piece, means carried by said shaft and adapted for one angular position of said shaft to bring said abutment in the path of said stop piece 'for one direction of rotation and to bring said abutment out of the path of said abutment for the other direction of r0- tation.

2. n a controller for electric motors, in combination: a rotatable shaft, a collar frictionally mounted on said shaft, a switch comprising a movable contact member carried by said collar and a stationary contact member, a stop piece on said collar, a cam keyed on said shaft and having a circular portion and a depressed portion on its periphery, a controlling member adapted to bear on the periphery of said cam, a spring adaptedto urge said controlling member against said cam, an abutment operatively connected with said controlling' member and adapted to be brought into the path of said stop piece When the controlling member bears on the circular portion of the cam and is adapted to be brought out of the path of said stop piece When said controlling members bears against the depressed portion of the cam.

1n testimony whereof I have signedV my name to this speciiication.

MARCEL LIVRE, Y 

